Streaking Magic eyeing playoffs as Bulls visit

The Orlando Magic are hoping the All-Star break didn't squash their momentum. Thanks to a five-game winning streak, Orlando is in rare position for this stage of the season -- competing for a playoff berth -- as it resumes play Friday night at home against the Chicago Bulls. The Magic (27-32) were at the back of the line among that group but charging fast in an effort to grab one of the eight playoff spots.22 Feb @ 4PM

Jon Jay pays tribute to Michael Jordan with new White Sox number

When Jon Jay makes his Chicago White Sox debut this spring, he'll be wearing a number that's very familiar to longtime fans. It was 25 years ago that NBA Hall of Famer and Chicago Bulls legend Michael Jordan sported the No. 45 as he attempted to transition from professional basketball to a potential Major League career with the White Sox.20 Feb @ 2AM

NBA unveils logo for NBA All-Star 2020, which will take place in Chicago

NBA unveils logo for NBA All-Star 2020, which will take place in Chicago originally appeared on nbcsportschicago.com A year from now, Chicago will be on the NBA's center stage in that they will be hosting the NBA's 2020 All-Star weekend. Sunday, Team LeBron took down Team Giannis 178-164 in Charlotte to capture the 2019 NBA All-Star Game crown. Despite next year's game being a year away, the NBA unveiled the logo for the 2020 game, which the Bulls will host at the United Center.18 Feb @ 3PM

Bulls' Lauri Markkanen shines and shows off what a potential Markkanen-Luka Doncic combo would look like in 2019 Rising Stars Challenge

Bulls' Lauri Markkanen shines and shows off what a potential Markkanen-Luka Doncic combo would look like in 2019 Rising Stars Challenge originally appeared on nbcsportschicago.com The Rising Stars Challenge is a fun showcase for the young stars of the NBA to show off their skills in a fast-paced game with little-to-no defense. So while you can't gain much in terms of serious scouting information from this game, you can get a better picture of where a youngster ranks among the hierarchy of top prospects in the league. And if Friday night was any indication, Lauri Markkanen is certainly near the top of the totem pole when it comes to the best young talents in the league.17 Feb @ 8PM

LeBron says owning NBA club 'would have to be right fit'

LeBron James says that following fellow NBA superstar Michael Jordan into owning an NBA club is "more of an aspiration" than dream as he prepares for a 15th NBA All-Star Game. The 34-year-old Los Angeles Lakers playmaker will captain Team LeBron against Team Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks in the annual talent showcase Sunday at Charlotte, North Carolina. Jordan, who won six NBA titles in the 1990s with the Chicago Bulls, now owns the Charlotte Hornets and while James once said there was "no maybe about it" that he would be the majority owner of a team one day, he was more hesitant about the prospects Saturday.17 Feb @ 12AM

Sports betting is not yet legal in California, but the Sacramento Kings want fans to come as close as they can to the real thing with a new "predictive gaming" lounge. Starting with the Kings' home game on March 17 against the Chicago Bulls, some basketball fans will be able to place free "predictions" on game outcomes in the new Sacramento Kings Skyloft Predictive Gaming Lounge, Kings' owner and Chairman Vivek Ranadivé is expected to announce on Friday. quot;Predictive gaming is incredibly disruptive and will only continue to gain popularity in the NBA and beyond," Ranadivé said in a statement.15 Feb @ 1PM

A rejuvenated Joakim Noah beats the odds, returns to Chicago ready to 'end this thing on my own note'

A rejuvenated Joakim Noah beats the odds, returns to Chicago ready to end this thing on my own note originally appeared on nbcsportschicago.com Father Time appeared to arrive for Joakim Noah in the first half of 2017, and even the former Bulls legend doubted if he'd ever play again. Noah, who was in Chicago on Wednesday for the third time as a visitor, underwent arthroscopic knee surgery in February of that year, prematurely ending a disastrous first season in New York in which he averaged 5.0 points and 8.8 rebounds on the first year of a four-year, $72 million contract.14 Feb @ 3PM

3 Takeaways: Otto-matic Porter is showing off new tricks with the Bulls

Porter has been great as a Bull, and much more aggressive than any point in his Wizards career. This season with Washington, he was getting up 10.8 field goal attempts per game. Over 4 games with Chicago, Porter's shots per game are up to 14.5.14 Feb @ 10AM

With Michael Jordan's Charlotte Hornets hosting this weekend's All-Star game, the NBA icon is fielding questions about some of its participants. With Russell Westbrook having logged his 10th straight triple-double and James Harden extending his streak of 30-point games to 30, Jordan was asked which accomplishment he found more impressive. Six championships, by all means,” Jordan said.13 Feb @ 11PM